Administration & Regulatory Affairs

Press Releases

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• November 19, 2025 -- Houston City Council Approves a Citywide Curfew for Riding e-Scooters and ATVs
• April 17, 2025 -- Houston City Council Approves Short-Term Rental Regulations
• March 13, 2025 -- City of Houston Plays Key Role in Negotiations Leading to Energy Rate Decrease for Customers
• September 25, 2024 -- City to Begin Towing and Impoundment of Non-permitted Pedicabs Beginning October 1
• March 11, 2024 -- Rodeo Patrons Should Make Sure Pedicabs are Permitted Before Accepting a Ride
• January 11, 2024 -- Motorists Beware! Fraudulent Websites Disguised as ParkHouston Parking Meter App
• November 30, 2023 -- CenterPoint Energy Honors The Mayor with a $1 Million Contribution Toward Energy Assistance for Low-Income Residents
• May 24, 2023 -- Permit Now Required for Houston Establishments Allowing BYOB After Midnight
• March 13, 2023 -- BARC Hosts Rescue Rally, Providing Financial Incentive to Rescue Groups
• March 8, 2023 -- Mayor To Personally Visit And Thank City Call Takers On National 311 Day
• February 27, 2023 -- BARC Houston To Close Public Dog Intake Due to Positive Distemper Case
• January 30, 2023 -- BARC Reminds Houstonians to Microchip Pets, Hosts Free Microchipping Events
• September 24, 2021 -- Notice of CenterPoint Energy's Requested Gas Rate Increase
• March 7, 2019 -- Reunited and It Feels So Good
• February 13, 2019 -- BARC: Houston, We Had A Tiger!
• August 23, 2017 -- Artist Celan Bouillet Enlivens New Parking Meters Along Allen Parkway
• January 23, 2017 -- ParkHouston, Zipcar Launch City’s First On-Street Car-Share Program in Midtown
• March 12, 2014 -- Houston's Concern with Lyft Expands from Illegal Operations to Safety Issues
• October 22, 2013 -- Introduction of the Nation's First Art Parking Meter Sculptures
• September 26, 2013 -- City Of Houston Seeks Feedback From Taxicab Customers

In the News

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• January 6, 2026 -- 311 data shows water leak complaints declining, despite neighbors still waiting on repairs
• January 6, 2026 -- Houston's short-term rentals have become a magnet for mayhem. Will new rules stop the violence?
• December 30, 2025 -- City of Houston says it will start monitoring areas where Waymo cars were spotted idling for days
• December 29, 2025 -- Shooting of teen at short-term rental comes days before new city ordinance begins in Houston
• December 29, 2025 -- Houston’s Party House Crackdown Starts January 1
• December 1, 2025 -- Houston pedicab operator calls for tougher rules after KHOU 11 Investigates exposes safety concerns
• November 19, 2025 -- Houston City Council passes e-scooter ban unanimously, setting a citywide curfew
• November 17, 2025 -- BARC: El centro de refugio y adopciones de animales de Houston
• October 14, 2025 -- Houston Mayor John Whitmire pushes forward $16 million BARC renovation plan
• October 6, 2025 -- City Council to vote on spay-neuter and emergency transport funding as Houston confronts stray dog crisis
• September 25, 2025 -- BARC Houston aims to reduce number of dangerous animal calls around with new city funding
• September 15, 2025 -- Houston's 311 line sees increase in requests for trash bins amid 'Can Blitz'
• September 14, 2025 -- Pedicabs running red lights, breaking other traffic laws raise safety concerns
• September 9, 2025 -- Why your CenterPoint bill keeps climbing, and how it can again
• August 18, 2025 -- SE Houston homeowners frustrated by school traffic blocking driveways, causing damage
• August 11, 2025 -- Electric scooter companies form coalition against proposed ban in Houston’s urban core
• August 7, 2025 -- Houston’s Short-Term Rental Registration Delayed Until October
• July 20, 2025 -- ‘It would be the worst-case scenario for us’ | Houston scooter rental companies push back against proposed scooter ban
• July 1, 2025 -- Third Ward residents are fed up with ‘turn-ups’ and street takeovers. The city needs a plan now.
• June 2025 -- Monroe ensures Houston’s hired rides are road-ready and clean
• June 26, 2025 -- Texas leaders broke promises to hold CenterPoint accountable after Hurricane Beryl. Here are 5 takeaways.
• June 8. 2025 -- Is Houston's noise ordinance working? Here's what the data shows
• June 1, 2025 -- BARC to offer free adoptions during June in celebration of Pride Month
• May 19, 2025 -- CenterPoint 'did not adequately follow its own practices' in leasing generators, audit says
• May 9, 2025 -- ‘I feel like it’s kind of unfair’: Short-term rental owners in Houston brace for new registration requirements and fees
• April 18, 2025 -- Houston short-term rental regulations to require owners to register with the city
• April 10, 2025 -- TIMELINE: Uptick in dog attacks in Greater Houston area
• April 7, 2025 -- No, CenterPoint will not fully refund customers for its unused generators. Here's what to know.
• March 31, 2025 -- How to safely surrender pets in Houston area
• March 31, 2025 -- More Stakeholders Call for Amendments to Houston’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance as Wednesday’s Vote Looms
• March 31, 2025 -- Are short-term rental regulations coming to Houston?
• March 28, 2025 -- ASTRONOMICAL PRICES: Parking your car at Astros game might cost 2-3x your ticket
• March 26, 2025 -- Astros fans left wondering where handicap spots are around the ballpark ahead of Opening Day
• March 26, 2025 -- Houston City Council denies CenterPoint Energy rate hike that would wipe out savings from rate settlement
• March 20, 2025 -- No One Seems Happy With Houston’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance Up For a Vote Next Week
• March 12, 2025 -- CenterPoint seeks rate increase for natural gas customers in Houston region
• March 12, 2025 -- Houstonians Say Nearby Short-Term Rentals Make Them Prisoners in Their Own Homes
• March 9, 2025 -- Reports of abused, mistreated animals prompt BARC to increase scrutiny of pet rescues
• March 3, 2025 -- Increased animal intake and handling of at-risk animals part of new BARC plan to keep community safe
• February 2025 -- BARC Adoption Day at Post Houston
• January 17, 2025 -- Houston warns residents and visitors of scam text messages asking for parking fees
• January 6, 2025 -- BARC, Houston PetSet team up to help keep pets warm during cold snap
• January 6, 2025 -- Pop-Off Politics: CenterPoint Energy wants a rate hike
• December 6, 2024 -- Houston officials to implement new regulations for short-term rentals
• November 25, 2024 -- Houston's BARC animal shelter will offer reduced fees in December for Empty the Shelters event
• November 22, 2024 -- West Houston neighbors hope proposed city ordinance on short-term rentals passes, brings them peace
• August 20, 2024 -- Got a problem? Here is who you can call in Houston to help fix it
• August 12, 2024 -- 'Clear The Shelters' Campaign: Meet Foster Kitten Miso
• August 8, 2024 -- Houston-area cities and consumers challenge CenterPoint’s rate hike withdrawal, seek to force rate cut
• August 6, 2024 -- More than 1,000 pets will be at Mega Adoption Event at GRB in downtown Houston
• July 24, 2024 -- Petco Love grants $25K to Houston's BARC for hurricane recovery, lifesaving efforts
• July 15, 2024 -- Lost fur-baby frenzy: BARC warns of scammers going after pet owners
• July 2, 2024 -- Empty the Shelters event to provide reduced-cost adoptions at BARC throughout July
• June 23, 2024 -- Houston area's unwanted pets finding homes thanks to sprawling social media campaigns
• May 21, 2024 -- Unpaid Houston parking tickets? Here's what happens if you don't pay them
• May 20, 2024 -- Houston Pets Alive! and BARC team up to help to increase adoptions in the Houston area
• April 25, 2024 -- BARC Houston to expand stray animal intake hours every Sunday
• April 13, 2024 -- Looking to foster an animal in Houston? Here's everything you need to know
• March 29, 2024 -- Proposal to increase paid parking hours in Houston draws criticism and support
• March 22, 2024 -- Houston-area shelters to celebrate National Puppy Day with adoption and foster events
• March 11, 2024 -- Beware of these things before hitching pedicab ride at RodeoHouston
• February 21, 2024 -- BARC music for furry friends
• January 25, 2024 -- Houston launches effort to build new animal shelter, with possible west-side satellite
• January 5, 2024 -- How to not fall victim to a parking scam while you're in downtown Houston
• December 13, 2023 -- Houston animal shelter BARC has new director, first time in 10 years
• December 4, 2023 -- Federal funding to go toward spay and neutering services for BARC
• December 1, 2023 -- Shoe store owners learn the hard way that Houston police won't respond to burglaries without an alarm permit
• November 29, 2023 -- Disabled woman parked at Houston hospital for cancer scan gets $500 ticket
• November 2, 2023 -- Houston officials going door-to-door for “Pets for Life” pilot program
• October 28, 2023 -- BARC Houston reaches full capacity: Here’s how you can help
• September 29, 2023 -- A 2017 Texas law prohibits Houston officials from regulating driverless vehicles within the city
• August 25, 2023 -- 'Noisiest club in the city on record': Judge issues order to quiet loud bar in Houston
• August 5, 2023 -- Lax BYOB laws are complicating Houston police's response to rising violence at after-hour bars
• August 3, 2023 -- Petland owner skips court hearing for 'puppy mill' tickets, Houston judge issues arrest warrant
• July 29, 2023 -- Houston has filled more potholes in first 7 months of 2023 than all of 2022
• July 27, 2023 -- Animal Welfare Awareness billboard campaign starts with help from city, Houston PetSet 
• July 26, 2023 -- Houston City Council votes to ban new bars and liquor stores near Heights daycare center
• July 14, 2023 -- Potholes aren't Houston's biggest problem. Here's the data. (Opinion)
• July 13, 2023 -- City of Houston makes changes to parking regulations, rules for disputing tickets
• July 12, 2023 -- Houston abandons proposal to stop free curbside parking after 6 p.m. after mixed resident reactions
• July 3, 2023 -- As euthanasia climbs, overworked Houston shelter workers try to manage influx of stray dogs and cats
• June 29, 2023 -- Your guide to Houston 311, from how service requests are handled to common misconceptions
• June 4, 2023 -- Scammers posing as BARC Animal Shelter, preying on people with missing pets
• May 31, 2023 -- City of Houston considers extending paying at parking meters until midnight
• May 25, 2023 -- ParkHouston wants to stop the city's free curbside parking after 6 p.m.
• May 24, 2023 -- Houston city council approves new ordinance aimed to fight crime to 'create a more safe environment'
• May 22, 2023 -- Mayor's Strike Force Team helps Houston residents living in inhumane conditions
• May 17, 2023 -- BARC euthanizes almost 30 dogs just days after they underwent spay, neuter surgeries
• May 17, 2023 -- The Standard Bar loses noise permit, continues playing loud music in Fourth Ward neighborhood
• May 5, 2023 -- Proposed Houston ordinance could regulate large vehicles parked in neighborhoods
• April 28, 2023 -- See what your Houston neighborhood is complaining about the most, according to 311 data
• April 27, 2023 -- City of Houston considering ordinance that would crack down on BYOB establishments
• April 27, 2023 -- Get to know the animals ahead of ‘Adopt a Shelter Pet Event’
• March 7, 2023 -- These are the 5 Houston apartment complexes with most issues reported to the city
• March 1, 2023 -- Houston City Council Passes Amendment Regulating Donation Stations In City Limits
• February 27, 2023 -- BARC Houston Temporarily Closing Public Dog Intake Due To Positive Distemper Case
• February 1, 2023 -- All pets in the city of Houston must be microchipped, starting Feb. 1; Here’s how to get it done for free
• January 30, 2023 -- Have a dog or a cat? Starting Wednesday, you can be fined if it does not have a microchip
• January 29, 2023 -- Houston Nightlife Parking: Millennials, Gen Z Frustrated By Prices, Opting To Stay Home
• January 4, 2023 -- $23 For 2023: BARC Slashes Adoption Fees As Shelter Reaches ‘Critical Point’
• December 30, 2022 -- Houston Animal Groups Worked Together to Help Pets Stay Warm During the Freeze
• December 21, 2022 -- BARC’s tips on preparing your pets for the cold, and how you can help donate to the shelter
• December 21, 2022 -- BARC seeks emergency donations of blankets to help keep shelter animals warm during arctic blast
• February 9, 2017 -- Houstonians Are Fixing The Stray Pet Population
• February 8, 2017 -- BARC Euthanization Rate Drops Below 10 Percent
• February 8, 2017 -- Super Bowl Surge In For-Hire Rides In Houston
• November 17, 2014 -- Houston Style Magazine: New Art Parking Meters Light Up Washington Ave